Caleb Hendee Family

From the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form.

Narrative Description

1. Introduction
   The Fort Vengeance Monument Site (recorded as VT-RU-216 in the Vermont
   Archaeological Inventory) is a historic period Euro-American archaeological site
   in the Otter Valley town of Pittsford, Vermont. It was occupied by Euro-
   Americans of British ancestry, many of whom were, like the first eighteenth century
   occupants, born in southern or eastern New England. The site is a multicomponent
   locality that on present evidence is dominated by traces of the Caleb
   Hendee, Sr., farmstead (1774-circa 1830/60). The site also contains remains
   related to a tavern that Hendee operated on his farmstead between 1783 and 1808
   and evidence of the Chester Thomas house and farmstead (circa 1860-1900),
   which stood roughly 250 north of the Hendee farmstead. The site also likely
   includes deposits and features associated with Fort Vengeance (1780-1782), a
   stockade fortification that stood on the farmstead during Revolutionary War. The
   fort and a member of its company, Caleb Houghton, who was killed nearby, are
   commemorated by a modest marble obelisk. The monument was erected on the
   site in 1873.
   Archaeological investigations at the site to date have shown that it includes the
   buried foundations of the Caleb Hendee, Sr., house and tavern (1782-circa 1830)
   and the Chester Thomas house (circa 1860-1900). At least one other possible
   building foundation, perhaps representing an outbuilding, has also been identified
   at the site. Owing to the predominance of remains from the Hendee farmstead and
   the limited extent of field investigations, archaeological evidence of Fort
   Vengeance itself is at present scanty, being limited to a possible section of a
   palisade trench and certain eighteenth-century artifacts, such as a brass button of a
   type that has been found on eighteenth-century military sites in New York and
   Michigan. In addition to the several archaeological structures, features, and
   deposits that have thus far been identified at the site, systematic shovel testing
   shows that late eighteenth- to nineteenth-century artifacts related to these
   occupations occur in the plowzone, and that several clusters of artifacts occur
   across the site.

Sergeant and Ensign, Conn. Militia and Cont’l Infantry and Dragoons, five years service, pensioned.

Gen. Caleb Hendee. On page two hundred and thirty may be found an account of the birth and early life of Gen. Caleb Hendee. But a man who has acted so prominent a part through a long period of the town s history, should receive a more extended notice, especially bearing upon his public life. He was a remarkable man. Born at a period when educational advantages were extremely limited, indeed, in the new country where his lot was cast, almost unknown, yet he won, by indomitable energy and perseverance, a name which will long be remembered in the early annals of the town. His intellectual faculties were of a high order, and the feats of his memory wonderful. These qualities, combined with an ardent love for study, placed him among the prominent men of his day. He read with avidity such books as were within his reach, and for him to read a book, was to become familiar with its contents. He cultivated quite extensively the field of English literature, and in the department of mathematics he has, probably, had few superiors in the town. Such a man could hardly fail to make his mark in the world. His talents were soon recognized and appreciated by his fellow-citizens, and he was ushered into public life, where for a long period he acted a prominent part, discharging his duties faithfully, and generally to the satisfaction of his constituents. On the 30th of May, 1788, young Hendee was sworn into office as land surveyor. In March, 1798, lie was appointed surveyor of Rutland County, which office he held many years; and in October, 1817, he was appointed, by Gov. Galusha, Surveyor General of the State. In March, 1790, he was chosen one of the Listers of the town, an office which he held more than thirty years. Twice he served as Assessor under the General Government, and appraised all the real estate in the town. This he did without a colleague, and in no instance was there ever an appeal from his appraisal. In the years 1821 and 24, he was a delegate to the County Convention for equalizing the appraisals in the county. In March, 1793, he was elected First Constable and Collector of Taxes, and was re-elected to the same office in 1794, but declined to accept it. In October, 1797, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace, and was re-appointed from year to year till 1826, when he resigned. He was appointed Side or Assist ant Judge of the County Court in October, 1806, and Judge of Probate for the years 1809 and 10. He was elected Town Clerk and Treasurer in March, 1800, and held this office every year, except one, till March, 1826, when he declined an election.

On the 4th of March, 1794, Mr. Hendee was appointed Ensign in the Third Company, Third Regiment, Second Brigade, Second Division of the Militia of this State, and on the 29th of October, 1795, he was elected Captain of the same company. On the 22th of February, 1801, he was elected Major of his Regiment, and soon afterwards Brigade Major and Inspector. On the 24th of August, 1807, he was elected Colonel of his Regiment, and on the 21st of October following he was elected Brigadier General of his brigade, the com mission being signed by “Israel Smith, Esquire, Capt.-General, Governor and Commander-in-Chief, in and over the State of Vermont.” He discharged the duties of this office till October, 1810, when he sent to the Governor a letter of resignation of which the following is a copy: “MONTPELIER, Oct. 12, 1810. Dear Sir : From my youth to the present day I have belonged to the Militia of Vermont, and for more than fifteen years last past I have had the honor to hold a commission in that department, and for the last three years that of Brigadier General in the Second Brigade and Second Division, and have, to the utmost of my feeble abilities, endeavored faithfully to discharge the duties enjoined to the offices through the various grades which I have passed; but as my sun has passed the meridian and soon will be hastening towards the evening of life, I sensibly feel the martial ardor of youth beginning to abate ; having a slender constitution, and a considerable family who are depending on my assistance for their support, and taking into consideration the length of time I have served my country, I have a strong desire to retire from the line. I do, therefore, for these reasons and many others which I might offer, earnestly solicit your Excellency to grant my request, and discharge me from the command of said Brigade, which favor will be highly pleasing to Your Excellency’s most Obedient, Humble Servant, CALEB HENDEE, JR. His Excellency, Jonas Galusha, Esq.”

The following is a copy of Gen. Hendee’s discharge: “Brigadier General Caleb Hendee, Jr.: SIR: Your communication in writing, of the 12th October instant, requesting to be discharged from your command as Brigadier General of the second Brigade and second Division of the Militia of this State, has been duly attended to, and the reasons you assign for your retiring from office are satisfactory. I have, therefore, thought fit to accept of your resignation, and do hereby discharge you with honor from your said command of the aforesaid Brigade. Given under my hand, Headquarters, Montpelier, October 17th, 1810. JONAS GALUSHA, Governor and Capt. General.”

Gen. Hendee represented this town in the General Assembly of the State eleven years, commencing in 1803, and, as stated elsewhere, he commanded the company of militia raised in this town for the defense of Flattsburgh in 1814. In addition to the public duties already mentioned, he was frequently appointed on committees by the Legislature and Superior and County Courts to lay out roads in various parts of the State. The General s life, as has been seen, was an active one, and required the exercise of talents which he amply possessed; but his varied attainments and the honors which were conferred upon him did not elate him. He was not a showy man. Indeed, when at home he was often somewhat negligent of his personal appearance, so much so, that a stranger, at first view, would be quite likely to underrate his mental qualities. He well understood human nature, and few could read more accurately personal character. For many years he was school superintendent of the town, and a part of his official duty was to examine and pass judgment upon the qualifications of teachers. More than one undergraduate who has gone before him with a haughty demeanor and cast upon him disdainful looks which plainly said, “Old man, you don t know much,” has paid the penalty of his foolishness by being subjected to a catechetical ordeal which has made him shrink from the plain man s presence with drooping plumes.

In his domestic life Gen. Hendee was genial. He appears to have enjoyed the family circle, and there was little here to mar his pleasure till the sickness of his beloved companion, and her death on the 4th of August, 1835, which event cast a deep gloom over his spirit. In his diary, shortly after her death, he wrote: “Since the death of my wife I have not enjoyed life; a heavy gloom rests on my mind which I cannot throw off. She possessed a fine constitution and I fondly anticipated and hoped she would live to see many more years, but I have been disappointed; but I ought not to complain, for we had lived together more than fifty years, more than forty-six in married life, and had for four or five years previously lived in the .same house. Our sentiments and views through life have always harmonized. We first became acquainted with each other at the age of eleven years, always lived together except about two years, viz.: from fourteen to sixteen. It may well be supposed that my loss is great and irreparable; my grief is deep and inconsolable; the days that I have to live are probably but few, and they will be full of sorrow.” The General ever afterwards felt the loss of his companion, though for some years he enjoyed comfortable health and continued to transact his ordinary business. As age advanced, his health became impaired and he gradually wore out. He expired on the 4th day of December, 1854, retaining his mental faculties nearly to the close of life.

Comments in parentheses and italics are those of Cynthia Ann Hendee Henry who did this transcription from that of Ulysses Grant Hendee (1913) and wrote the introduction to this document. “Cox” refers to In the Shadow of Cox Mountain by Grace Neil Anderson. This was finalized January 2012.

Hendee, Caleb Hendee Jr. Manuscripts. 1827-1854. TS. Pittsford, Vermont Historical Soc., 3399 U.S. Route 7, Pittsford, VT.

Genealogical and Biographical sketch of the family of Caleb Hendee, Jr., son of (Deacon) Caleb Hendee Sr., and of his wife Lydia (née Rich) and their different family connections, written by himself in the fifty-ninth year of his age, for the use and benefit of his children and grandchildren. (Lydia was the daughter of {Elder} Elisha Rich, with whom the Caleb, Sr. and Caroline Ellsworth Hendee family stayed in Clarendon, Vermont when they departed Pittsford during the American Revolution.)

My father, Caleb Hendee (Sr.—my 3g grandfather) was born in the town of Coventry, (p. ix of Cox for map) County Tolland and State of Connecticut in the month of August AD, 1745. He was the third son, by a second marriage, of Jonathan Hendee and Martha (Millington Hendee), his wife. I have no knowledge of my father’s ancestors farther back than my grandfather (Jonathan Hendee), whom I recollect to have seen when I was a child, before my father moved to this state. (Caleb later finds additional information going further back, beginning on p. 16 of this document and on p. 18 for the Ellsworth line.) My father has told me that my grandfather Hendee had by his first marriage several children; I think three sons to wit—David, Barzillia and Asa, and I believe one daughter, if I mistake not, called Hannah, none of whom have I ever seen, some of whom my father said migrated to Woodbury in the state of Connecticut, and others to Dutchess County (p. ix of Cox) in the state of New York. The daughter of one, I believe, married to Esq. Baker, now living in Arlington in this State (Vermont).

My grandfather (Jonathan Hendee) died at a place now called Ellington in Hartford County, Connecticut, about the commencement of the Revolutionary War, aged between eighty and ninety years. He was poor and, I suppose, illiterate, but was said to be an honest man and possessing more than a common share of physical powers of body, as did his sons by his first marriage, as I have been informed.

Martha, his widow (and Caleb, Jr.’s grandmother), soon after the death of her husband, came to live with my father in this town (Pittsford, Vermont) and continued with him until she died, which was about the time I was married. She lived to be eighty-four or eighty-five years of age. She was very pious and kept the Sabbath very strictly. Her maiden name was Martha Millington, of her relations I know but little. She informed me, however, that her ancestors came to America from England at an early period, that some of their relatives in England, as she was informed, were wealthy and that considerable estate was left by some of them for the Millingtons from here, but for some reason which I now do not recollect, it was never obtained. She had a brother who lived and died in Shaftsbury in this state who had a son by the name of John, who was at one time a Baptist priest and one by the name of Solomon, who I believe now lives in Shaftsbury. Of his posterity I know nothing more. My grandmother had also a sister who married a man by the name of Collins and lived, I believe, in Manchester in this state; at least one of his sons did by the name of Nathaniel, who became wealthy and died in Manchester some years since. He had a brother, Samuel, who lived in Dorset in this state and for several years represented the town in the legislature, but is now dead. There was a third brother whose name I believe is Asa, who now lives in the town of Iva in this county. This is all I know of my grandmother Hendee’s (Martha Millington Hendee) relatives. I suppose there were others of whom I have no knowledge or present recollection.

My father (Caleb Hendee, Sr.) had two brothers and two sisters by his mother’s side, viz. (“namely” or”as follows”) Jonathan and Richard, Rachel and Martha. His oldest brother, Jonathan, died while young in the island of Cuba, at the city of Havana. He, with many others from New England, fell a victim, while in the service of his King and country, to the deleterious effects of that inhospitable climate to the people of the North. His brother, Richard Hendee, lived to the age of between forty and fifty years. He married his wife Hannah Pearson (or Parsons) at Windsor, now Ellington County. After living there some years, he moved to Shaftsbury in this state. Living there some time, he moved to this town where he lived until his death, which took place about thirty-five or thirty-six years ago. He was killed in an instant at the raising of a barn for Capt. Mitton Potter in this town. He left a worthy and disconsolate widow and a family of children, viz. Richard, Ephraim, Jesse, David, John, Hannah, Anna, and Phebe. He was not a man of much property. He had lost a small estate, being his all, by the depreciation of Continental money. He was nearly six feet high, pretty well proportioned, not fleshy, weighed about 180 pounds, and I have heard my father say he had seen him take a barrel filled with cider and put it on the rack of a cart. He was of an obliging disposition, but of somewhat hasty temper, yet esteemed by his neighbours (note English spelling). His widow, some years after his death, married to David June (same “David” as on pp. 168 and 187 of Cox?), of Brandon, with whom she lived till his death which happened some years since. She now lives with her children in the western part of New York state. Richard Hendee, the son of the above-named Richard, married Phebe Rich, daughter of Captain Nathaniel Rich, who was a brother of Elder Elisha Rich, (Caleb, Jr.’s, father-in-law) by whom he had had a number of children. (Seep. 7 of this text for Cox references) After living some years in this town, he moved to Ticonderoga, in the state of New York, but now lives in the western part of that state or in the Province of Canada. Ephraim, his brother, married Lovisa Churchill, daughter of Joseph Churchill, Esq., of Hubbardton. After living in Sudbury in this county, he moved to the town of Avon in the state of New York, Ontario County, where he now resides. Jesse Hendee married Tirza Rich, daughter of the Rev. Caleb Rich, brother of Elder Elisha Rich, and now lives in New Haven in the county of Addison, Vermont. David Hendee, his brother, was a soldier in the late war, was wounded in the battle of Williamsburg, in which Gen. Covington was killed. He was afterwards in all the battles and lived on the Niagara station with Gen. Brown and is now in the western part of New York. John, his brother, I believe, lived near his brother Ephraim. Hannah Hendee married Samuel Buell, then of this town, but died many years since with the consumption (tuberculosis), without children. Her sister Anna married (“Esau” was typed in, but scratched out. Something like “Eran” was written above, but also scratched out.) Rich, son of Captain Nathaniel Rich, and now lives somewhere near her brother in the state of New York. This much to my uncle Richard’s family.

I now return to my father’s oldest sister Rachel. She married a man by the name of Nathan McWethy (or McQuivy) by whom she had a number of children, the names of some of them I remember viz. Jonathan, Solomon, Joshua, Nathan, Nathaniel and also a daughter and perhaps more. Jonathan, her son, I understand went into the state of New York and married a Dutch woman by whom he had several children. He has been dead many years. While a young man, he lived with my father one season while I was a boy since when I have never seen him. His brother, Solomon, learned the trade of gunsmith, has a family, and has for more than twenty years worked at the same in the United States Armory in Springfield, Mass, where I suppose he now resides. He was here with a daughter of his a year or two ago. Joshua, his brother, I never have seen since I was a small boy, and know not what has become of him. Nathan, his brother, lived in this town some years about 34 or 35 years, since after which he went to Genesee country in the state of New York, married a Dutch girl, had a numerous family as I was told. I have not heard from him in some years. Nathaniel, the youngest son of my aunt Rachel, lived some years in this town and part of the time with me. He married for his first wife, Sally Hall, daughter of John Hall, and moved with her to Williston in this state. She did not live many years. He afterwards married again and still resides at Williston. I consider him to be a very industrious, honest man. I believe he had but one sister, and she married a man by the name of Downe in Williston. My aunt Rachel is said to have been a woman of great strength of bodily powers, but she died in the prime of life in Connecticut. Her husband afterwards married Roxana Ellsworth, a cousin of my mother’s (Caroline Ellsworth Hendee, my 3g grandmother). She has also been dead many years and my uncle McWitty moved to Williston, where he married his third wife. He died a few years since, being aged 84 to 87 years. My father’s youngest sister, Martha. married Isaac Matson, who was half brother to my mother. (See family tree and my notes in Cox as to this double relationship.) Her children were Isaac, Joshua (p. 243 of Cox), James (p. 75 of Cox “Payment, one bushel potatoes”), Martha, Nancy (p. 198 of Cox, “Payment, a bushel turnips”), Polly, and Sally. Isaac is, if living, about ten months younger than myself. His father moved into the town in the early settlement. He was taken prisoner by the Indians in the Revolutionary War, was carried to Canada, made to run the gauntlets and liked to have died with his wounds. (Ephraim of Cox discusses his own gauntlet experience on p. 237.) He was a Captain some years, but finally returned to his family in this town, where he lived until his death which happened many years since. He was a large man with black eyes and somewhat loquacious. His wife, my aunt, was a weakly woman and died some years before her husband, of consumption. (Isaac and Martha Hendee Matson are mentioned throughout Cox: marriage and children on p. xiii and Isaac’s capture by the Indians on pp. 211-213; he makes his way back home on p. 243.)

Cousin Isaac Matson married and lived in this town some years, had several children, then moved to the North part of Pennsylvania, near Sugarcreek, and, I understand, has since moved into the State of New York, in or near the Holland Purchase. His brother James Matson (Cox xiii and 75) married a sister of Deacon Barnes of this town; he and his brother Isaac owned the farm where Col. Hammond now lives. They sold to Hammond and moved together to Pennsylvania. Joshua Matson (Cox xiii and 243) died when a child while his father was in captivity. Martha Matson (Cox xiii) was the next younger than Isaac; she married Levi Preston, son of Deacon Preston, and now lives in Pennsylvania, near Sugarcreek.

Nancy Matson (Cox xiii and 198) married a man by the name of Crandy in Sudbury this State, but soon after died of consumption, without children.

Polly Matson (Cox xiii) married Abither Boyce in this town, who soon moved to Upper Canada, near the town of Bastard (Cox p. 246) or in the same where she now lives. She has several children. Her husband is more a rogue than a fool, and we hear that he has lately been taken in the State of New York and consigned to the State prison for some of his misdeeds.

Sally Matson (Cox xiii) married a Mr. Whiting this state, by whom she had seven children or eight children; one or two I believe were married. Her husband died some years since. Thus much as it relates to my father’s parents, his brothers and sisters and their descendants.

I now return to give some account of my father (Caleb Hendee, Sr.). It appears by what I learned of my father, that my grandfather Hendee (Jonathan) had at some period unknown to me, moved to Simsbury, Connecticut, while my father was young, and being not wealthy or for some other reason, my father did not receive a literary education. He was only taught to read and to write an ordinary hand just so as to be able to keep his books, but knew nothing of the rules of arithmetic, yet could cast interest and reckon mentally about all he found necessary to be done in his limited line of business through life as a farmer. He told me he was put out to live while young, but came home and took the whole care of his father’s business until he came of age, after he was about sixteen years of age. When twenty-one he was admitted freeman (similar to the reference on p. 8 of this MS of Caleb, himself not being released from his own father’s service until age 21?)with no other patrimony than a good constitution. Without property or a trade, he entered upon this stage of life naked-handed, his father having preferred his elder brother, Richard, to live with him and to whom he gave the small estate he possessed, which in a few years was sold and lost by the depreciation of Continental money. As I have related, my grandfather did not live long after my grandmother was brought to this State soon after and supported by my father till her death. My father also gave my uncle Richard one hundred acres of land in this town to help him to begin the world anew as to property; thus it sometimes happens in families.

On the 27^th. day of April AD, 1767, my father, in the 22^nd year of his age, having made suit to, was duly joined in marriage with Caroline Ellsworth. She was born sometime in the month of March 1748, and of course, had just entered her 20^th. year. She was without wealth and had nothing to recommend her, but the good qualities of her person, which were said not to be inferior. (Did Grace Anderson derive from this her comments on Cox p. 149 that Caroline was “efficient and kind,” as well as from comments on p. 9 of this manuscript?)

My grandfather Ellsworth’s father and mother (Samuel Ellsworth, Sr. and Elizabeth Allen Ellsworth, my 5g grandparents) I well recollect to have seen when I was a small boy. They then lived in East Windsor, Connecticut. He was a large man, bony and extremely muscular and athletic, said to be a match for any man in the county when in his prime. He was more than six feet high and well made. He engaged with no other weapon than an axe, a bear in the woods (Cox p. 249) and killed it alone and brought it home. It weighed eighteen score. His Christian name I never knew. (I have since learned it was Samuel.) His wife was a small woman and short of stature. Her maiden name I have forgotten, but believe it was Allen (Elizabeth Allen, as above).

My great grandfather Ellsworth had several sons and at least one daughter (viz) Samuel (my 4g grandfather), Charles, Josiah, and Elijah, but which was the oldest I know not. He had one daughter named Elizabeth, perhaps others I did not know.

Charles Ellsworth, brother to my grandfather, had several sons (viz) Charles Eliphalet, William, and John, and one daughter named Roxana. Of these I knew but little. They were smart, athletic men.

Eliphalet married Esther Wheeler, half sister to Captain Amos Crippen lives in St. Lawrence County, I believe. (An Esther Wheeler is mentioned in connection with Crippen on Cox xii, but I don’t understand this connection, if any. It states that Samuel Crippen married Esther Wheeler. Sam Crippen is mentioned on Cox 212)

William, a few years since, kept a tavern in Middlebury, this state. Roxana was married to Nathan McWittey, as related above. Of the rest of my mother’s uncle Charles’ family, I know naught.

My uncle Josiah Ellsworth did not marry until about the age of sixty years. I understand they had one child; that is all I know of him.

My mother’s aunt, Elizabeth Ellsworth, married a man by the name of Isaac Rood, called Dan Rood. He lived in the town when my father moved here AD, 1774, but died soon after on my father’s farm. His widow was a weakly woman, and she never married afterwards. She had one son and a daughter named Ira and Adah Rood, whom I have not seen these 20 or 30 years and where they are, I know not.

My grandfather, Samuel Ellsworth (Jr.), at about the age of thirty years or more, married the widow Amy (Halida/Holida/Holiday, my 4g grandmother) Matson by whom he had three children (Cox xii), (viz) Samuel, Caroline (my 3g grandmother) and Israel; (who married Hopestill Stevens) no others to my knowledge. (Her name is spelled “Hopestil” in Cox. She is referred to on Cox pp. 117, 159, 188-89 and others, plus handwritten in by me on pp. xi and xiv of Cox.) My grandmother Ellsworth’s maiden name was Amy Halida. (spelled in a variety of ways in different accounts, including this one). Her first husband’s name was Matson, by whom she had at least one son and one daughter (viz) Isaac and Amy. Isaac Matson married my father’s sister Martha (Hendee Matson of Cox xiii), whose posterity I have mentioned already, but made a mistake in relation to James Matson, a sister of Deacon Ithrel Barns, not his daughter.

Amy Matson, my mother’s half sister, married a man by the name of Richard Adams who lived in this town many years and then moved to Upper Canada with all his family. His children were Saxton R Adams, Daniel Adams, Joshua Adams and Lucy Adams.

Saxton Adams married Nancy Stevens, daughter of Mr. Benjamin Stevens (family discussed throughout Cox) of this town. He and his wife, I believe, have been dead many years; either Joshua or Daniel are dead also, as well as their parents. Lucy Adams married Jonathan Stevens, a son of Benjamin Stevens, and now lives in Upper Canada, town of Bastard (handwritten in “Polly Matson near here”). I believe my aunt Lucy had a daughter named Amy, but do not recollect for a certainty.

My grandmother Ellsworth (Amy Halida Matson Ellsworth) lived to be 70 or 80 years old and died in this town many years since. She was of dark complection [sic] (variant spelling of “complexion”), black eyes, possessed much veracity, sprightliness and good sense.

My grandfather Ellsworth (Samuel, Jr.) lived to be 85 years of age and died in the town of Arlington, in this state. He was of light complection [sic], blue eyes, middle stature, thick set, firm constitution, of a sedate countenance and much given to study. When young, he worked at the trade of a weaver. His parents gave him but little chance to educate himself, but from his great inclination for knowledge, he by his own exertions acquired a considerable share of information. He calculated almanacs for many years in Connecticut and some in this state; several I have now before me which he calculated while in Conn., one of which was for the year in which I was born. He was an early settler in this town, practiced in the Art of land surveying, was proprietors clerk, also a justice of the peace. He was pious and of the Congregational order of Christians. In the time of the war, he moved to Arlington. In the time of the Revolutionary War, he lost most of his property and remained there with his son, Samuel, until his death.

His son, Samuel, married for his first wife, Irene Parsons, daughter of Aaron Parsons of this town, by whom he had several children, one named Daniel; the names of the others I do not know. His first wife died while in the prime of life. He afterwards married a widow Brumly, whose maiden name was Ashly. She is a sprightly smart woman and now lives with one of her sons in Arlington.

My uncle Samuel has been dead about 7 or 8 years. He lived to be about 66 years old. He was a large man, extremely well made, about 6 feet high, straight and athletic when in his prime. He was of light complection [sic] and had blue eyes. He told me that his family were near of kin to the Hon. Oliver Ellsworth of East Windsor, Conn., who was some time one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of that state, and afterwards Chief Justice of the United States and later minister to the Court of France under the administration of President Adams.

Sept. 17^th. 1827.

Since writing the above, I have had a long fit of sickness. I was taken suddenly ill on the third day of May last, with the inflammation on my bowels. I was confined to my house for about sixty days; for about thirty days I took no food except once in 4 or 5 hours, a level spoonful or two of very weak broth with nothing with it. For several weeks I could scarcely bear my weight, and the same time my life was despaired of by all who saw me. It was more than 40 days before I could walk in my room and then with assistance only. It is now but only 5 or 6 weeks since I have enjoyed comfortable health, but I now am able to resume my narrative to which I return.

My mother’s (Caroline Ellsworth Hendee) brother (youngest), Israel Ellsworth, married a woman in this town by the name of Hopestill Stevens, daughter of Benjamin Stevens, by whom she had several children. (viz) Benjamin, Israel, Vinia and a daughter named Susannah. I do not remember any more, though there might be one.

My uncle was a very good natured man, but his wife (Hopestil Stevens) was said to be a very bad woman. He moved into the State of Penn or the South Western part of New York. While there disappeared strangely. His wife came back here and said her husband, in a fit of insanity, went into the woods and never was seen afterwards. Many years afterwards, I heard my uncle Samuel say that he had heard from him that he was living in some part of Virginia; whether it was he or not, I cannot say for a certainty. Many hearsay stories were told and suspicions entertained. (See p. 17 of this text for subsequent information.) His wife married again to a Mr. Patterson with whom she lived some years, and then he left her. After this she married a Mr. Willard Seaton with whom she lived some years. They were pretty well matched, both had enough. He at length left her. She afterwards went into Upper Canada and there married for the fourth time, but has now been dead for some years. Her son, Benjamin Ellsworth, went to Upper Canada, town of Bostand (none such online, could be “Bastard,” which Caleb may also refer to as “Bartard”–see p. 246 of Cox), twenty or thirty years ago, where he now lives. Of his property, I know nothing.

Israel Ellsworth, my cousin, lived with me from nine years of age till twenty-one. He married the only daughter of Simon Stevens of this town. Many years ago, he moved to Bostand [sic], Upper Canada, had some children, also buried his wife and had married again. He lost his property during the last war, but I hear is now doing well.

Susanna Ellsworth, his sister, married Willard Seton (“Seaton” above), son of her mother’s husband, but I believe they parted many years since; whether dead or alive now, I know not. What became of the other sons of my uncle I know not. This much for my mother’s relatives.

I now return to give some account of my father and family. As I have related, my father was married on the 27^th. day of April AD, 1767 to Caroline Ellsworth; and at Simsbury near Salma Brook on Friday at noon, or high twelve. The 21^st. day of October, AD, 1768 on the 12^th. day of the moon. According to Astrology, Venus governed the day and Jupiter the hour; their first born, the writer of this article, was ushered into this wonderful world. But, as I have no faith in Astrology, I have played no confidence in that part of the matter.

Soon after my birth, my father moved with his family to East Windsor, where by the fruits of his industry, he purchased a small farm, made improvements, erected buildings and etc. On the 27^th. of December AD, 1770, my sister Caroline was born. I, having the whooping cough at the time, to prevent her taking the same, was removed to Simsbury to my grandfather Hendee’s (Jonathan) where I remained till she died, which was on the 26^th. day of March 1771. So we see sickness and death cannot always be guarded against.

My oldest brother, Jonathan, was born Nov. 11^th. AD, 1773, on Tuesday. In the winter following, my father came to this town (Pittsford), purchased a right of land through the town cemetery, about 360 acres, part of which was the farm where he lived until be died. He returned to Windsor, sold his farm there for 300 pounds (about $1,000) and in Feb. or March 1774 moved to Pittsford, now Vermont (was British territory when he moved there), where, with vigor he entered on his Agricultural pursuits under all the disadvantages attending the settlement of a new country. (It is fun and interesting to read these historic accounts of our ancestors; we first see the reference to “pounds,” the family being under British control in 1774 when this event happened, and then Caleb translating to dollars, the American currency, when he wrote this in 1827.)

My grandfather Ellsworth and family bad previously settled in this town and owned and lived on a farm where Col. Hammond now lives. (See “Ellsworth” on p. x of Cox.)

A few days after my father moved into this town, in the month of March, being in my sixth year, I narrowly escaped being drowned in Otter Creek near what is called Stevens Ford Way, on what is now Col. Hammond’s intervale (“a low-lying tract of land along a river, var. of interval; by folk etymology, taken as INTER- + VALE chiefly New England”).

My uncle, Israel Ellsworth (husband to Hopestil Stevens), and one Mr. Warner were at work clearing off the timber into the river. The banks being nearly full, the water swift and cold. I with a small pole was endeavoring to shove off some flood wood to see it swim away; in bearing onto the pole, the other end slipped off, and in I went head foremost. The water ten or fifteen feet deep, not being perceived by anyone, was left to shift for myself. After a short struggle, with some difficulty, I succeeded in extricating myself from a watery and untimely grave. I had got some rods from shore before I was seen by my uncle and the other man.

The Spring my father came here, the Red Men of the forest were plenty, with many of their birch bark canoes in Otter Creek, but were then friendly. There were then but a few families in town. Early in the Spring of AD, 1775, in April, the Revolutionary War broke out. My father’s hired man, J. Denning, went with Col. Allen to help take Ticonderoga Fort. From this time to the end of the war, we saw perilous times, living in the wilderness and on the frontier of a barbarous enemy. (“J. Denning” must refer to “John Deming” on p. 63 of Cox, as the incident described in both accounts appears to match. This also cross-references with p. 251 of Cox of “The part played by Pittsford men in “Capture of Ticonderoga.”) The Hendee line is related to Ethan Allen and to his 3^rd cousin, Ebenezer Allen. Both were involved with the Green Mountain Boys and with the taking of Fort Ticonderoga. Ethan was a general or major general in the Green Mountain Boys. Ebenezer was a major, but Wikipedia states that in his later life, he was always referred to as “Col. Allen,” Elizabeth Allen Ellsworth is my 5g grandmother. She is a 1^st cousin 1x removed from Ethan. Ethan’s brother, Ira Allen, is mentioned on p. 255 of Cox: he was also in the Green Mountain Boys.)

On the 21^st. of May AD, 1776, a Tuesday, my second brother, Daniel Hendee, was born (midwifed by Beulah Cox, as per p. 97 of Cox–“payment ½ bushel seed potatoes”).

In the summer of 1777, a part of the British Army passed through Hubbardton, about 8 miles from here, where a battle was fought between it and the Americans, commanded by Col. Warner (the Col. Warren on p. 197 of Cox?) where many were killed and wounded. The inhabitants went from here to help bury the dead. The firing was heard from here.

On Monday April 2^nd. AD, 1778, my sister, Lydia, was born (midwifed by Beulah Cox as per p. 169 of Cox with “payment in seed potatoes”). I had forgotten to mention that in the summer or Autumn of 1777, the enemy Indians and Tories came to within half a mile of my father’s home, plundered a family and took two of Mr. Rowley’s sons prisoner, a narrow escape. (See Cox p. 122. On pp. 243 and 252, Mr. Rowley “went to Canada and found his sons Joseph and John living with Indians, almost unrecognizable.”) Later in Autumn (handwritten above is “77”), November or December, the Indians and Tories (1772) burnt barn and killed two men by the name of Robbins and took away some provisions (Cox p. 127). There were not many families in the town. The same day, my father, in company with Deacon Murray (Cox p. 196), late of Orwell, and Elder Elisha Rich, my wife’s father, were in Brandon to view a lot of land near the house of Robbins. They came to the house and had not left it but a few minutes before the enemy attacked it and killed the two men (another narrow escape). About ten or eleven o’clock the same evening, news arrived at my father’s of the enemy being at Brandon. The same hour and night my father, with the assistance of Elder Rich, Deacon Murray, and my father’s brother, Richard Hendee, who happened to be at my house at the time, placed his whole family with his aged mother (Martha Millington Hendee), all on horseback and traveled all night as far as Clarendon, where we arrived at Elder Rich’s (Caleb, Jr.’s future father-in-law) the next morning. (Elisha Rich is referred to several times in Cox: pp. 158, 187, 196, 197, 204, 205, and perhaps others. It was his home to where the Caleb Hendee, Sr. family escaped from Pittsford to Clarendon to live during the Indian and Revolutionary War attacks when the other Pittsford residents were hiding in Fort Vengeance on Caleb, Sr.’s property. Their departure begins on Cox. p. 197; their return is mentioned on p. 244.)

The enemy came no farther than Brandon. At Clarendon, I first became acquainted with the family of Elder Rich, and of course, with his daughter, Lydia, who was born the same day I was myself, Oct. 21. 1768. She afterwards became my wife.

In the Spring of the year AD, 1780, this State raised troops and sent them to the frontier. They erected a fort on my father’s farm which surrounded his dwelling house which he bad left; which fort was named Fort Vengeance, which was kept garrisoned till the close of the Revolutionary War. (References to the fort are in Cox on pp. 199, 205, 206, 225, 232, 233, and 244. A publication by the Pittsford Historical Society, “Pittsford Gleanings” Volume II, is about Fort Vengeance.)

On Saturday Sept. 23^rd. AD, 1780, my sister Eunice Hendee was born. My father having resided at Clarendon, on the farm of Elder Elisha Rich, until the Spring of the year AD, 1788, returned to his farm in Pittsford, in the month of April and immediately commenced putting his farm in trim by repairing the fences, buildings, etc.

My first brother by the name of Solomon was born on Wednesday the 20^th. of November AD, 1782, and died about 9 months afterwards. (Solomon I was midwifed by Beulah Cox, as per p. 245 of Cox, “payment, bushel pumpkins.” Eunice, referred to in the above paragraph, was not midwifed by Beulah, as the family had moved to Clarendon to escape the effects of the American Revolution and then returned prior to the birth of Solomon I.)

About this time, my wife’s father, E. Rich, moved from Clarendon to Pittsford, bought the farm where Mr. J. A. Bogue (“Boogue” and “Booge” below on p. 13) now lives, where he resided until he moved to Pennsylvania,

My second brother Solomon was born on Sunday Oct. 30^th. 1784. (It was common in those times to name another child the same name as one who had previously died.)

In the month of December following, my father sent me to a boarding school at Danby, under the instruction of an Englishman, where I stayed 4 months and tried Arithmetic, Geometry, and Surveying which I now have in two large manuscripts, as well as the large slate which I figured. That was the best and essential part of the school instruction which I received of my father. About the year 1786, my father purchased me a set of surveying instruments, and I commenced the business of land surveying, which I followed occasionally for about 40 years. About the same time, I commenced teaching school in the Winter season and followed it for 8 winters including three years that I taught school constantly.

From my early youth, I have had a strong desire to obtain knowledge. Of course, I have read and studied as much as my own occupations of life would permit.

My brother, David Hendee (my 2g grandfather), was born on Tuesday, Oct. 30^th. AD, 1786.

From the age of 17 to the age of 20, I was occasionally unwell and did not enjoy very good health; indeed, from 16 years old to nearly twenty, I was weakly.

Soon after the close of the war, my father commenced keeping tavern and continued it for many years, there being at that time much travel by people moving into the North part of the State. It proved to be to him a considerable power of wealth.

In the Fall of the year AD, 1788 by the permission and assistance of my father, I visited the seashore, New Haven, New London, and New York for the benefit of my health and returned in November with my health improved, took a school on the 27^th. of December.

On Sunday, AD, 1788, my sister, Rachel Hendee, was born, and on the 14^th of January, AD, l789, I was duly joined in marriage to Lydia Rich, daughter of Elder Elisha Rich. This union took place in consequence of a long-standing agreement, and, as I have reason to believe, a mutual attachment. But, I continued in the service of my father until the 21^st. day of the following Oct., he not choosing to let me have my time until I was 21 years of age. (Is this similar to the reference on p. 3 above of Jonathan Hendee being a “freeman?”)

My daughter, Ruth, was born in November or December 1789. My wife and myself commenced keeping house for ourselves; we began the world rather low as to property. She had given her by her father about this time, twenty acres of wild land, which we sold for $120.00, which with what she had acquired by her own industry constituted her portion with which we purchased two cows and some furniture. Some time after this, my father gave me one hundred acres of land on which were some improvements, but no buildings. The land might have been worth $600.00. He also gave me a three-year old colt, part of the value of an ordinary pair of oxen. I had caught a wolf, with whose pate and skin I purchased some sheep; have ten in number (wolf killing referred to in Cox p 101). This is all that constituted my portion except that my father gave me about 150 young apple trees and land to set them on which I now own. By my own and my wife’s industry, in a few years we were able to purchase from my father about 8 acres more of land (viz) 4 acres of intervale and remainder of upland, for which we gave about $150.00. It adjoined the other and was bought to accommodate the same, but still had no building, but lived in one of the old Barracks of Fort Vengeance. (This was the fort built on the property of Caleb, Sr. and Caroline Ellsworth Hendee’s property to protect the people of Pittsford, Vermont from the American Revolution going on around them, including the Indians and the Tories. There is a drawing of the fort on p 206 of Cox, which matches the drawing on the front of “Pittsford Gleanings.” P. 206 of Cox mentions both the officers’ barracks and the soldiers’ barracks. The fort was named “Vengeance,” as per p. 209, to avenge the killing by the Indians of Caleb Houghton. A monument to Caleb Houghton was erected where Fort Vengeance used to be and is on a postcard for sale in Pittsford. The monument is mentioned in Cox on pp. 219, 225, 228, 232, 235, etc.)

My first daughter by the name of Polly (second one named Polly on same p. just below) was born on Wednesday, 30^th. March AD, 1791 and died the 17^th. of April following, and on the 23^rd. day of the same month (viz) April AD, 1791, my youngest brother, Samuel, was born. My mother having been sick for three months, my wife took the infant and sucked it for more than a year.

On the 12^th. day of May AD, 1791, my mother (Caroline Ellsworth Hendee) departed from this life in the prime of life in a distressing situation as to body, having consumption (tuberculosis) of the lungs. The death of my mother was a great and sad calamity to her family. She had lived a very pious life, was of a mild and even temper, very obliging and hospitable to the poor. (Is this one place from which Grace got her reference in Cox on p. 149?) My father appeared suitably affected at the loss of his wife, but, nevertheless, on the 30^th. day of June following (viz) AD, 1791, married the widow Mary Squires of Manchester, being a total stranger to him and all his family (quoted on p 253 of Cox). By the last marriage, my father had one child (viz) Abner Hendee, (Cox xiii) who was born on Wednesday 8^th. August AD, 1792. In the month of April, AD 1793, my wife had two daughters born who lived but a short time, or about three weeks.

My oldest son, German Franklin Hendee, was born on Thursday the 2^nd day of October AD,, 1794 at 5 o’clock P.M. (A photo of a house owned by German Franklin Hendee is in the records of the Pittsford Historical Society.)

In Feb. or March AD, 1795, I exchanged the land I had of my father with Col. Hammond for a part of the farm on which I now live. I had of him about 115 acres. It was cocooned [sic] (?) at 1.000 and what I let him have at $750. By the industry and economy of myself and wife, we soon paid the boot money and have since added considerably more to our possessions.

On the 5^th. day of December AD 1795, I narrowly escaped being killed. I was returning from Pittsford village in an empty cart with a young yoke of oxen. They took fright and ran rapidly. I was in the fore part of the cart and, before I could get out, the cart was instantly turned upside down. I was thrown onto my head and face on the frozen ground, which was very rough from a recent rain and sudden freeze. I was very much bruised and my right ear knocked off and hung only by a small piece of skin. My ear was saved on, but the cartilage in healing rotted, came out, and the wound was a long time in getting well

About this time, I commenced the three years which I taught school in Pittsford village.

My daughter Polly (the second one named Polly, following the death of the first one discussed on same page just above) was born on Thursday Oct. 2^nd. AD, 1797, 9 o’clock AM.

In AD, 1799, I built the East part of my old house, finished it AD, 1800.

Sally, my daughter, was born on Sat. 18^th. Oct. AD, 1800. in the morning.

Charles Jefferson Hendee, my son, born on Monday, 4 o’clock AM. on July 1^st. 1805 (of the book publishing company, Carter, Hendee, and Co. in Boston; see my notes on American Frugal Housewife, published in 1833),

Caleb Rich (middle name is birth name of his wife) Hendee, my son, was born on Tuesday morning the 8^th. day of November AD, 1808, about 20^th. day of the moon.

I built my barn under the hill AD, 1811 and my cider mill about the same time. In the summer and year of AD, 1815, I built the barn called German’s Barn this side of the Baptist meeting house.

My writings will show my dealings in landed property. On the 20^th. day of July AD, 1822, I was taken very sick with stagnation of my blood, coldness of limbs and followed by a fit of sickness which confined me to my room for fifteen days; part of the time very sick. On the 6^th. day of June, I had a very dizzy turn. It seemed as though I could not have lived, but being bled and taking physic I soon got relief; was able to be about in 2 or 3 days.

In the month of March AD, 1823, I went on horseback to Boston and to Sharon, Massachusetts. It being very stormy brought on an inflammation on my eyes which never have been entirely well of and can now see but poorly. I had to be shut up in a dark room after my return from Boston for 7 or 8 weeks, bled, blistered, etc. (I wonder what “etc.” included; “bled” and “blistered” already sounded bad enough!)

On the 2^nd. day of October AD, 1823, my father Hendee (Caleb, Sr., my 3g grandfather) departed this life in the 79^th. year of his age. He was sick about 8 or 10 days, did not appear to suffer greatly, died without a groan or struggle. He lived with his 2^nd. wife (the widow Mary Squires, as per p. 9 above) about twenty years or more. When she died some years afterwards, he married the widow Jenner (perhaps the same person as in number 18 on p. xiii and on pp. 75 and l05-106 of Cox) with whom he lived a number of years and then she died; last of all, he died himself. At the time of my mother’s death, my father owned about 1,000 acres including what he had given to me, which together where he lived, divided only by Otter Creek (mentioned throughout Cox), also some outlands. He was probably at this time worth more property than at any other period of his life. He lived with my brother, Samuel, when he died. He was a religious man and for some years Deacon in the church.

Nothing special has happened since the death of my father, till my sickness last spring which I have related above.

My posterity may want to know what part I acted in public life. To gratify that wish, I will state the following, viz.

I commenced the practice of surveying of land at 17 or 18 years of age, was sworn to the office 30^th. May AD, 1788 when 19 years old in my 20^th. year. I was appointed County Lawyer for Rutland County in March AD, 1798 (which office I have held till I resigned the same). In AD, 1790 in March, being 21 years old, I was appointed one of the Listers in the town, which office I have served in for more than thirty years during my life. For two or three times, I served as assessor under the General Government. I valued all the real estate in the town, each piece and parcel by itself, also without a colleague, and do not recollect of one instance of appeal from my appraisal of any one tract of land. I was one of the assessors who appraised all the buildings, house lots, and the real estate under our present system in 1822 and 1824 and was the delegate to the county Convention these years for equalizing the appraisal in the county.

In March AD, 1793, being 24 years old, I was appointed first Constable and collector of taxes, and again in 1794 reelected to the same office, but declined accepting the second year. I was appointed by the Legislature in October AD, 1797 a Justice of the Peace, which office I was reelected to successively from year to year till I resigned the same AD, 1826, holding the same nearly thirty years. I was appointed first aide or Assistant Judge of the County Court of this county in October AD, 1806 and Judge of Probate AD, 1809 and 1810. This much for my Judicive appointments. In March AD, 1800, I was appointed Town Clerk and Town Treasurer, which office I held every year except one till March AD, 1826 when I declined a reappointment, my eyes and sight rendering it inconvenient to hold the office. In AD, 1794 March 4^th., I was appointed Ensign in the 3^rd. Company, 3^rd Regiment, Second Brigade and Second Division of the Militia of this State, having been previously elected to the under office in said Company, and elected Capt. of said Company 29^th. Oct. AD, 1795. Was appointed Major of said Regiment 25^th July 1801, and soon after Brigard Major and inspector of the same till 24^th.. August AD, 1807, when I was elected Colonel of said Regiment, and on 21^st. Oct. following AD, 1807, I was elected Brigadier General of said Brigade, which office I held till Oct. AD, when I resigned said office and was honorably discharged from the service.

In Sept. 1803, I was appointed as member of Legislature, that is, a Representative from this Town in the General Assembly of the State, which office I held for most of the time till AD, 1823 when I declined a further appointment as Representative. In AD, 1814, I commanded a company of Volunteers on an expedition to Plattsburg and joined General Comb in the defense of that place, but did not arrive there till the day after the Naval action. I have been frequently appointed on committees by the Legislature and Supreme and County Courts and to lay out roads in various parts of the State. I, at one time, held six clerk and Secretary ships in various departments. This much for my public life. I will now give a short account of my brothers and sisters.

My brother, Jonathan, married for his first wife Sally Squires, daughter of my father’s second wife (Mary Squires), with whom he lived some years, and had by her a son named Caleb who is a large, stout man, is married and now lives in Upper Canada. He had a daughter named Parmalia, who married a Mr. Sherman and who now lives in Moriah, in the State of New York. He also had a son by the name of Hiram, who died while young. Soon after this, his first wife died and not long after, he married a girl by the name of Ana Stone, with whom he now lives in the town of Moriah aforesaid. He has by her a number of children (viz) Jonathan, Ephraim, etc.

My sister, Lydia, married a man by the name of Abiel Smith and lives in Leicester, this State. She has about 6 children, I believe, 3 daughters and 3 sons. One daughter named Lydia married a man by the name of Arnold and lived in Brandon.

My sister, Eunice, married a man by the name of Truman (handwritten above “Truman” is “Freeman”) Smith, by whom she had several children, lived awhile in Leicester, afterwards moved to the western part of New York State, but she has been dead 4 or 5 years.

My sister, Rachel, married a man by the name of Lewis Whitlock, lived in Brandon, has two sons and one or two daughters.

My brother, Daniel, married a woman by the name of Lucy Allen, daughter of William Allen, by whom he had a number of children, most of whom died young. After living with her some years, she died, also. He afterwards married a girl named Sally Burditt, and in a few years afterwards moved from this town to Dansville in Allegheny County in the State of New York where he now lives, I suppose. He had children by his last wife.

My brother, Solomon, married a daughter of Mr. Paine of Leicester, named Lois. He lived in this town and has two daughters.

My brother, David Hendee, married Caroline Harington (my 2g grandparents), daughter of Elder William Harrington formerly of this town. He is a Baptist preacher, lives in Bristol, Addison County this State, and has 4 or 5 sons. (He had 7 sons and 3 daughters.)

Brother Samuel lived on my father’s home farm. He married Abigail Paine, sister of Solomon’s wife. He has 8 or 9 children.

Abner Hendee (half brother of David and Caleb, Jr., as per p. 9 of this manuscript and xiii of Cox) married Polly Atwood. He also lives on what was my father’s home farm and in a mansion house. He has 4 or 5 children.

My daughter, Ruth, was married to Solomon Bliss, son of Capt. Bliss of Carlton on the day of ___ AD, ___. Her son was born 14^th. of July AD, 1809 at Middlebury, Vt. Her son Edwin was born at St. Armonds, Lewis, Canada. Her daughter, Caroline, was born at Brush Creek, Ohio.

German Franklin Hendee, my oldest son, was married to Sarah Jones, daughter of Asa Jones of Claremont, New Hampshire, on the 30^th. day of November, AD, 1820. Their son, Franklin Jones, was born at Pittsford, Vt., Sept. 1^st. AD, 1821. German Hendee born 10^th. Nov. AD, 1822.

Lafayette Hendee, born June 27^th. AD, 1824.

Charles Jefferson Hendee, born March 31^st. AD, 1826.

My daughter, Mary Hendee, was married at Putnam, in the State of Ohio on the 6^th. day of June 1821.

My daughter, Sarah Hendee, was married to Henry Simonds of Pittsford on the 24^th. day of April AD, 1826.

My son, Charles J. Hendee, went to Boston to live on the 5^th. Sept. 1825, where he still lives.

November 2^nd. 1828.

Since writing the above (viz) Sept. 17, 1827, I have for the most of the time enjoyed comfortable health. On the 10^th. of June, last, I was appointed a delegate to attend the convention at Montpelier, to accept or reject certain proposed amendments to our State Constitution.

I now proceed to give some sketches of my wife’s relations. Her father’s name was Elisha Rich, son of Elisha Rich, said to have been born in Oxford, Mass., whose wife’s maiden name was Mary Davis. My wife’s father was born in Sutton, Mass. He had Thomas, Nathaniel, Jacob, Ebenezer, Caleb, Charles, and Joseph for brothers, and Mary, Sarah, Betsy, Hannah, and Judith for sisters. His oldest brother, Thomas, moved to Shoreham in this State, about 40 or 45 years ago. His wife’s maiden name was Conant. (Richard Hendee, Jr.’s second wife was Elizabeth Conant; see additional Conants on pp.14 and 16 below.) He had Charles, Eder, and John and perhaps other sons and a number of daughters, one of which married a Bayly, one Deacon Needham of Whiting, one a Willson, and his son Charles married for his first wife a Clark, one Davis, etc. He lost his wife some years since and afterwards married a widow Hewlitt, whose husband was overseer of Vermont State prison and was killed by Godfry, a prisoner. Charles Rich, son of Thos. Rich, was a man much respected by all who knew him. He was Colonel of the Militia in the Regiment where he lived. He was some time a Judge of the County Court of Addison County, many times a member of the State Legislature, and for 8 or 10 years or more a member of the Congress of the United States. He has been dead three or four years. His wife has married Esq. Barber of Hubbardton. His children and grandchildren live in Shoreham.

My wife’s uncle Thomas lived to be more than 90 years of age and died a few weeks since. His wife is still living in Shoreham. His son, Eber, lives where he died. He has a family; he was the oldest of the sons.

John Rich was an excellent Millwright. He enlisted into the service in the late war and soon died therein. Thos. Rich had also two other sons, Samuel and Ezra, of whom I know nothing about. My wife’s uncle Nathaniel Rich also moved to Shoreham about the time his brother Thomas did. He lived there a number of years, then moved to Ticonderoga, near Lake George. He died about 8 years since. He had a large family of children, sons, Elisha, Nathaniel, Esau, Leonard and Nimrod, and daughters, Tilda, Molly, Betsey, Sally, and Phebe, who married my cousin, Richard Hendee. His son, Esau, married Richard Hendee’s sister Anna. Molly, Tilda, and perhaps some of the other sisters married men by the name of Willson in Shoreham. My wife’s uncle, Jacob Rich, lived and died in Warwick, Mass. He had a large family. He died suddenly while riding in a sleigh. Ebenezer, his brother, lived and died in Sutton, Mass. He had a large family. His brother, Caleb, moved to New Haven, Vt., Addison, County, about 30 years since and has been dead about 7 or 8 years. He was a preacher of the Universalian doctrine and was much beliked. His brothers and connections were all of that order, except my wife’s father’s family who were Baptists.

Uncle Caleb Rich had two sons and 7 or 8 daughters. One son still lives, and one died in the late war. One of his daughters married a man by the name of Warren, and one of my cousins, Jesse Hendee, who now lives in New Haven, this State. He has one son and one or two daughters. Charles Rich, brother of my wife’s father, was killed by a tree in Warwick. Mass., when about 20 years old. His brother, Joseph, went while young to Penn. and has been dead many years; of him we know nothing. Father Rich’s sisters lived in Mass., some of which are still living. His family we know but little. My wife’s father was a 2^nd. child and son and was pious from his youth, commenced preaching the Baptist doctrine while young. He was a blacksmith and a gun maker by trade. He married Phebe Batchelor, daughter of Nehemiah and Experience, his wife of Brimfield, Mass. Father Rich lived some time in Royalston, Mass. where his daughter Phebe and my wife were born. He then moved to Framingham, Mass. where his daughters Ruth and Molly were born. He then moved to Chelmsford, Mass. where his daughter Olive was born. He then moved to Saltash near Plymouth, Vermont, lived there a short time, then moved to Clarendon in this County, about AD, 1777 or 1778. He lived there about 5 years where his son, Elisha, and a twin son were born; also, his daughter, Esther, was born there. He moved to this town (Pittsford) about AD, 1783 and was the first settled minister in this town and over a Baptist church, where he resided many years and owned the farm adjoining mine on North, where the Booges now live. He lived a short time near where the Turners now stand and built a grist mill (Cox p. 248). He made the first improvements on what is now called the flats, where he owned about 4 or 5 hundred acres of land, extending to Chittendon line which he soon after sold to the Adams, Browns. He planted the whole of the large orchard on the farm owned by the Boogues. He kept generally from 30 to 40 swarms of bees. He moved to Penn. more than 20 years since, near Sugar River, a branch of the Susquehanna, where he died soon after and in a short time after, his wife, also. Father Rich had 5 or 6 other daughters who died in infancy. Mother Rich’s mother’s maiden name was Experience Pollum. Her brothers were Nehemiah and John, David, Batcheler, and Elijah besides sisters Molly, Lydia, Lorah, and Huldah. Lydia died while young. Mother was the oldest daughter and John the youngest son, who married Sally Ballou. He lived some time in this town, then moved to Boston, Upper Canada. (“Bastard” is the town that surfaces elsewhere in this context.) He has been dead some years. He left a large family, sons and daughters. Of the rest of Mother Rich’s brothers and sisters, we know nothing. My wife’s oldest sister. Phebe, married a man by the name of Peter Harwood of Barre, Mass. She had two daughters; she now lives in Penn., where her father died.

Ruth Rich, my wife’s sister, married a man in this town by the name of Elijah Adams, where she lived till last Spring. He has now moved to Buffalo, N.Y. He is a good man and has a large family. His oldest son, Elijah, died while young; a hurt or something ran into his nostrils. His next son’s name was John, who spent some years time in Chautauqua County, N.Y. He died at Buffalo last Spring of bilious fever. His son Nehemiah lived with him in Buffalo, also his sons Thomas and Elijah. His son, Elijah, lives in Chautauqua County, N.Y., and his son, Samuel, is here at present. He has daughters Anne, Polly, Lydia, Sophia, and Ruth. Anne married Amas Himes of Holland, moved to Sugarcreek, Penn. He has a large family. Polly went with her sister Anne and married there to Mr. Parsons. Lydia married in this town to Jothan Hall; they soon moved to Williston, this state. She has one son and two or three daughters and is doing well. Sophia and Ruth live with their parents at Buffalo. Brother Adams has been blind for years and has not been able to labor for 20 years. My wife’s sister, Mary, married in Shoreham a man by the name of Nathaniel Atwood, a blacksmith, who lived there some years, then moved to a town called Middlebury near Batavia, State of N. Y. He has a son and two daughters, one of which is now dead. Sister or May has been sickly for many years. My wife’s sister, Olive, married a man by the name of Abel Blackman, who lived some time in Shoreham, some time in Whiting, and some time in this town. He was also a blacksmith and farmer more than twenty years. He has since moved to Sugarcreek, Penn. and has been dead some 8 or 10 years. His wife is still a widow, as we suppose. Olive has three daughters, if living. My wife’s sister, Esther, married Calvin Conant in this town. He was a brother to John Conant, Esq. of Brandon. He lived in this town some years, then moved to Brandon, then to Sheldon, if not to St. Amands, then Sheldon lastly about 12 years since to Putnam near Zanesville, Ohio, where he died about 3 years since. His wife died about 4 years ago last June. He was an ingenious mechanic and said to be a good physician for some years before he died, which profession he followed while he lived for some years.

Sister Esther Conant left three sons (viz) Charles, Rollin, Cyrus, and Lorenzo, who lived in the State of Ohio, or further on S.W.

Deacon Conant married his second wife in Zanesville with whom he lived but a short time. My wife’s brother Elisha married Peggy Barnes. He has a large family and lives at Sugarcreek, Penn., where he moved more than 20 years since. He is a man of good disposition, is a blacksmith by trade, and for some years followed preaching the Baptist doctrine. He inherited his father’s estate in this town, worth some thousands of dollars. So much for my wife’s relatives at present, which sketch I have scribbled off in much haste this afternoon with a poor pen and dim eyes. November, 2^nd. 1828. Signed, Caleb Hendee, Jr.

Sept. 8^th. 1830.

Since writing the above, I have for the most of the time enjoyed good health. On the first day of October last (1829) I however met with an unlucky accident while attempting to weigh myself. The rope broke, I fell, the steelyards fell on the small of my right leg and ankle and fractured the main bone, thereof, and much bruised the ankle joint, which caused me to keep my room 21 days and was not able to walk outdoors on my leg until about 40 or 50 days, during which time my eyes were taken worse and were very bad through most of last winter, so I could not see to read or write, no not able to see whether paper was printed, written or blank, nor to know any of the family at any considerable distance, not even at the table. Toward Spring, they grew better, but again in April, I had for some time another blind turn, but in May, they again grew better and on the 24^th.. day of the month, I left home for New York to the eye infirmary where I arrived on the 27^th. and tarried there for five weeks and two days. I received considerable benefit from the assistance of Doctor Vearny Rodgers, who applied the blue vitriol in substance rubbed on the lids of my eyes, which he said were granulated. He gave me a written prescription by which he said any physician might continue and perfect the cure. I, on the 3^rd of July, returned home by the way of Hartford and Boston, making Chas., my son, and Deacon Hay a visit. I tarried at Boston and Charleston about one week, took the stage and arrived at my home on the 15^th day of July in good health, and my eyes have continued to mend ever since, but I calculated to take the stage for Williston to have Doctor Spooner apply the blue vitriol awhile. I start tomorrow morning. This I have scribbled off in great haste.

Sept. 8^th. Signed C. Hendee

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Feb. 17, 1830. (1)

I did not go to Williston until the 27^th. of Sept. I tarried there until the last day of December, had the blue vitriol rubbed on my eyes once in two days while there and the lashes of my right eye grubed [sic] out as often. My eyes have been pretty comfortable this winter as yet. My health has been excellent for 8 or 9 months past. I can see to read 5 or 6 hours a day without spectacles. In the daytime, I can see to read even in a fine print Bible for some time. As to make a pen (amazing…“make a pen”), my eyes are better than they have been for several winters. The health of my wife is equally good. I have lately heard from my children at Ohio and Boston. All are well.

C. Hendee

On the 12^th. day of February 1831, on the great eclipse (see my account regarding this major event), brother Elijah Adams died.

Sept. 18^th. 1831. I was taken sick and confined to the house about ten days with a violent Diarrhea. Two or three days very sick indeed. It had been three years since I had been troubled with that disorder and about one and half years last part I had enjoyed good health. November. 23, 1831.

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December, 13, 1833.

Since Nov. 1831, I have enjoyed for the most of the time, good health. The winter after that date, my wife was for many weeks very low and ill, occasioned by a complaint in her feet, but removed as the warm weather advanced. Her health has been very good through the last season, till about the 18^th. of Oct., when she was taken ill and remained so for a few weeks, but she is now in pretty good health.

My daughter, Sarah Simonds, has suffered much with sickness for several years past and especially through the last summer. On the 18^th. Sept. she had a son born, which she called Chas. Henry Simonds. She did not recover from her sickness, but continued to linger until the last 18^th. of Oct. when she completed her 33^rd. year and expired at half Past 5 o’clock in the morning of the 19^th of the same month, after suffering much in her sickness and death. She bore all her sufferings with great fortitude and patience. She had her senses perfectly well through the whole time of her distress. Her brothers, sisters and parents were all present, except Mrs. Bliss and her brother, Charles, who arrived a few days after the funeral. Her child is doing well. Her death is the only death I have had in my own family for more than 40 years.

My daughter, Ruth, lay at the point of death for several weeks about the time my daughter Sarah died, but we learn she is recovering from her very low health.

My brother, David (my 2g grandfather), moved to Royalton, State of New York, a year ago last Sept. (Sept. 1832) on the Canal. My son Charles lives still at Boston, Daut Spooner at Williston, and Ruth is now with me. December 13^th. 1833.

Since Dec. 13^th. 1833, I and my wife have the greater part of the time enjoyed good health, but on 20^th. Dec. last, I was taken in night while asleep suddenly and severely sick with the Cholera Morbus. While up and on the stool, I fell from a rising position in a fainting turn against a chest of drawers. I wounded my left eye and otherwise injured my neck and cords of which were sore for some time, but after some hours of severe illness, I got relief and was laid up but a day or two. On the 13^th. of August, last, I was taken with an attack of bowels complaint and confined to my room for about two weeks and for one week was very sick. I slowly recovered in about 6 or 8 weeks. My wife has enjoyed good health most of the year past, but for some weeks past and now is afflicted with a severe inflammation of the eyes.

My grandson, Charles Bliss, returned here from Boston on 29^th. of June last. He has been here ever since and his mother, who arrived here 4^th. of August last. They will probably return to Ohio in the Spring.

Charles Hendee and his sister were here for several weeks in August and Sept. on a visit. Charles still resides in Boston (the successful publisher, as per p. 10 above).

On the 7^th. of April last, my son Caleb R. Hendee, left home for Ohio, where he now is in the practice of the Law in company with one of Charles Rich’s sons. He went by the way of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. He wrote me on the 16^th. of April that he there fell in company with a Judge Abner Hendee. a past Master of Hebron, Connecticut, a cousin of my father, who could trace our ancestors many generations back to England, and that he (my son) had agreed with him to write on the subject. Accordingly, on the 16^th. May last, I received the following letter from him dated 10^th. May last.

(I found it quite interesting to see that this, by coincidence of Caleb’s son running into a cousin, must be how Caleb learned of Richard Hendee from England. It appeared on p. 1 of this manuscript that Caleb knew nothing of this, being able to trace back only a couple of generations. I enjoyed reading the following account of our progenitors of so many years ago.}

(This entry from Ulysses or someone else): “The introduction omitted”

“Hebron, Conn. May 10^th. 1834.

“Richard Hendee was the first of the name who came to America. He descended from a family of French Protestants, who were expelled from Normandy in France and settled in England many years before on account of their religion. Richard came to Boston in the first settlement of the country, married and settled in that vicinity. He had two sons, Richard and Caleb. Caleb died without children. Richard married and had a son Jonathan. His wife died in child bed or soon after. He left the child (Jonathan) with his mother’s relatives and moved to Connecticut, and there married a Conant (Elizabeth) and lived in or near Windham, Conn. (See other Conants on pp. 12 and 14 above.) By her, he had six sons, Josiah, Joshua, Caleb, Barzillia, Asa, and Nathaniel, also four daughters, Sarah, who married a Cary and settled in Mansfield, Hannah, who married a Hurd and settled in Stratford, Betsey, who married a Brown, and Mary, who married a Dudley, both settled in Woodbury, Conn. Barzilla married and settled in Woodbury, Conn., where he died in good old age. His family are gone to the West. Josiah settled in Ashford, and some of his descendants are there now. Caleb moved to the north, my father knew not where. Joshua (“Josiah” was scratched out) moved to the West. Asa settled in Coventry, Conn. He had two sons, Asa and Eliphalett. Asa went to the Whitestown Country (in New York, I suppose) and died a few years since. (Eliphalett spelled with one “t” here and two above) was my father. He settled in Coventry and died about six years since, aged 86 years. He left three sons and one daughter. He did not know what became of his brother Nathaniel. I have seen on the tomb of my grandfather that he died about fifty years since, at the age of nearly 80 years.

(Signed) Abner Hendee”

(Here we return to Caleb’s manuscript.)

I have received two other letters from the above-named Abner Hendee, one dated June 15^th, by which and the above I am able to trace my ancestors to their first landing in this country. They stand thus:- I am the son of Caleb Hendee, who was a son of Jonathan Hendee, who was a son of Richard Hendee who first came to America. Thus, it appears that my grandfather’s father came from England and his ancestors from Normandy, France. (It seems Caleb is missing a generation. His grandfather is Jonathan Hendee [married Martha Millington], Jonathan’s father is Richard Hendee, Jr, [married Sarah Smith]. It is Richard Hendee, Sr. who came from England [married Hannah Elderkin, daughter of John Elderkin]. In fact, David Petrie, Hendee genealogist, suggests that it was actually Richard, Sr.’s father, yet another Richard, who came even earlier)

Nov. 30^th. 45 minutes P.M. The sun is now eclipsed. By calculation, it is totally eclipsed in the state of Georgia. There are occasionally intervening clouds, wind is brisk from the N.W.; ground bare, rain yesterday at fifty minutes past two P.M. The planet Venus visible.

December 8^th. 1834.

In Abner Hendee’s second letter was enclosed a deed given by Great Grandfather Hendee given to his son Asa, dated 17^th. January AD, 1738, which with the second Abner’s letter to me. I deposit with this record. In page sixth of this work, (p, 5 in this transcription), I have some account of the strange disappearance of my mother’s youngest brother, Israel Ellsworth (the one discussed on p. 5 above who married Hopestil Stevens of Cox). It will appear from letters I have received from a Mr. Edmonds Brooks, Georgetown, District of Columbia, by Hon. William State from Washington that my uncle, after leaving Pennsylvania, went to Virginia and settled in Fairfax County, where he had the following children to wit, Elizabeth, who married a man by the name of Chappel, a son whom he called Samuel, a daughter named Amy, who married a man by name of George P Poole, all who are living in said county of Fairfax, and a son named Ellsworth Holladay, who is married and lives in the county of Greenbrier, Virginia. His wife he married in Winchester in said county. He has been dead several years, and my uncle died about one year ago, poor, aged, about 80 years. He there had gone by the name of Israel Ellsworth Holladay, his mother’s maiden name being Holladay (spelling varies, both in this MS and in other accounts as “Halida,” “Holiday,” “Holida”). He had applied for and obtained a pension. This was the way I came to hear of him. See Brooks’ letter left from this record. (It appears that Hopestil and Israel were still married to each other, while Israel was leading this double life, apparently by alias and Hopestil marrying 3 other men. What an interesting story it must have been behind their married life and Israel’s disappearance)

C. Hendee

October, 21^st. 1835

This is my birthday. I am this day Sixty-Seven years old. The past three months previous to this date have been the most afflictive, sorrowful and distressing period of my whole life. On about the 14^th. of last July, my wife was taken violently sick of the bilious remittent fever, and after about three weeks, to wit; on the 4^th. day of August died after a very distressing sickness in which she suffered much from her complaint. For the most of the time she had her senses, but was able to converse but little. She bore her distress with fortitude and calmness. She wore out gradually, expired at last without a groan or struggle at nine o’clock AM. Everything was done to save her that could be thought of, but all to no purpose. The neighbours were extremely kind. She is buried a short distance North Westerly from the two white Oak trees in the North burial ground. Her coffin is on a large flat stone; her grave is laid in brick and lime mortar above the coffin which is covered with another large flat stone and all made water tight, so no pressure will come on the coffin. Here, I trust my children or friends will place my remains beside my late, dear and beloved companion.

My daughter, Ruth, was here and taken very sick about a week before her mother. They both lay sick at the same time; the lives of both were despaired of for a long time, and after the death of her mother, Ruth continued to decline, but eventually, she got relief and gradually recovered so that on the 18^th. of Sept. she left here for Ohio, her home. I have not heard from her since. She was feeble when she left here. My wife had the satisfaction of having all her children with her for some days previous to her death, except her youngest son, Caleb Rich Hendee, who was in Ohio.

I had the good fortune through the sickness of my wife and daughter and since I last wrote until the last day of this month, when I was suddenly taken down with the bowel complaint. The 1^st. and 2^nd. not alarming, but the 3^rd. and 4^th. and 5^th., I was tremendously sick, and I wholly despaired of living, and my physician, Dr. Winslow, was heard to say he thought I should not live, but on the close of the 5^th., my complaint abated and for 5 days, or more than 130 hours, nothing passed my bowels, yet I gradually grew better, and I am now slowly gaining my strength, but yet weak, just about able to walk out to the village.

Since the death of my wife, I have not enjoyed life. A heavy gloom rests on my mind which I cannot throw off if I would. She possessed a fine constitution, and I fondly anticipated and hoped she would live to see many more years, but I have been disappointed, but I ought not to complain, for we have lived together more than fifty years; more than 46 years in married life and had for 4 or 5 years previous lived together in the same house in the intimate union and attachment. Our sentiments and views through life have always harmonized together. We first became acquainted with each other at the age of eleven years, always lived together except about two years, to wit: from 14 to 16. It may well be supposed that my loss is great and irreparable. My grief is deep and inconsolable. The days that I have to live are probably few, and they will be full of sorrow. (He lived 19 more years. Remember that they became acquainted when Caleb’s father, Caleb, Sr., took his family to Clarendon and stayed at the home of Elder Elisha Rich, Lydia’s father.)

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For the most of the time since the above was written (Oct. 21^st. 1835), I have enjoyed good health. On the 21^st. of April 1836, my youngest child, Caleb Rich Hendee, was married to Mary Ann Granger, daughter of Mr. Simeon Granger of this town (Pittsford) and moved with his wife to Zanesville, Ohio, on the 6^th. of Sept. 1836.

My son, Charles Jefferson Hendee, was married of August 1836 to Miss Davis of Roxbury, Mass. where he now lives. In a letter received not long since, he informed me that he had cleared the year previous, $70,000 (about $1.8 million in 2010 dollars using CPI, as per John Robert Hendee) in his book business.

I accompanied my son Rich as far as the city of New York. I returned by the way of Hartford and East Windsor. At the latter place, I stopped one day (12^th. Sept) at the hotel of a Mr. Sperry, 8 miles North of the city of Hartford and walked out about 4 miles, Ketch Mills, took dinner at Timothy Ellsworth’s, Esq., son of Solomon Ellsworth, then went to the farm from which my father moved when he came to this town. I had not been there since I came with my father in. Feb. AD, 1774. The place my father sold to a Mr. Joseph Chapin, a gunsmith. It is now owned by a Mr. Abby. One of the barns which my father built is now standing. Everything looks as natural and as I supposed it did as though I had seen it within ten years past. A Mr. David Crane now lives within a few rods of Abby’s where he lived when my father moved from there. He is now 88 or 89 years old. On my return from Sperry’s, I saw and conversed a few minutes with a Mr. Solomon Ellsworth, brother to said Timothy Ellsworth. He is a bachelor, 73 years old. He informed me that my great grandfather Ellsworth’s Christian name was Joseph, was a son of Joseph Ellsworth, the first who settled ­in Windsor from England (both as “Josiah” just below). I visited a Mr. Erastus Ellsworth who lives a few rods from Sperry’s hotel. His age is 40 years. He gave me the following genealogy of himself. He was the son of David, who was the son of David, who was the son of Jonathan, who was the son of Josiah Ellsworth, who came from England and settled in West Windsor on the Connecticut River. His tombstone is now to be seen there. I have no doubt that the said Josiah the first, was the father of Josiah, who was father to Samuel Ellsworth, who was father to Caroline, who was my mother (all my progenitors). Thus, it will be seen that the said Erastus and myself are of the fifth generation from the first who settled in the country. (It seems Caleb is again missing a generation. My records show the line as follows: Josiah Ellsworth, Sr. [married Elizabeth Holcomb]; Josiah Ellsworth, Jr. [married Martha Gaylord]; Samuel Ellsworth, Sr. [married Elizabeth Allen]; Samuel Ellsworth, Jr. [married Amy Halida/Holida/Holiday/Holladay Matson]; Caroline Ellsworth Hendee [married Caleb Hendee, Sr.]; Caleb Hendee, Jr. [married Lydia Rich].)

Josiah Ellsworth was father of Jonathan Ellsworth, who was born in Windsor the 28^th. June 1669, and died Sept. 13^th. 1749 and who was the father of David Ellsworth born in Windsor July 17, 1709, who was the father of David Ellsworth born in Windsor March 27^th. 1742 and died at Windsor January 4^th.. 1821, and who was father of Erastus Ellsworth, who was born in Windsor 20^th. January, 1790, and is now living in East Windsor as above stated. He has a family and one or more sons. There is now living near Ketch Mills a Mr. Josiah Ellsworth, who is son or grandson of Mr. Josiah Ellsworth, who was brother to my mother’s father.

I now think I have traced my Paternal and Maternal Ancestors hack to England. I may hereafter give some further account of them. N.B. (Thanks to Cousin John Hendee, I now know what “N.B.” means: Nota bene is a Latin phrase meaning “note well.” It is instructing the reader to “pay attention” or “take notice.”)

My mother (Caroline Ellsworth Hendee) was born in March (13^th) AD, 1748, and died May, 12^th. 1791. My son, C. F. Hendee, moved into his new house Nov. 17^th. 1836.

C. Hendee

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A letter from Timothy Ellsworth, East Windsor (Ketch Mills)

“July 10^th., 1837.

“Dear Sir: – Your esteemed favor of May 28^th. was duly received, but unavoidable circumstances have prevented my giving the subject to which you refer (the ancestry of the Ellsworth family) the early attention I could have wished. The evidence as yet which I have been able to collect is by no means as full and particular as is desirable, but such as it is I now give, and as far as it goes, I believe is correct. The names of the female parts of the family is very imperfect which, under the circumstances of the pending suit in New York for the recovery claimed by Trinity Church, is very unfortunate, as one branch of the family are heirs to that enormous estate, having married into the family of the Anoreka Jarets, the original proprietors.

“The first Ellsworth who emigrated from England to this state (or as far as I can find in America) and the only one, was named Josiah. He settled in Windsor, the East side of Connecticut River on the very place where Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth lived and died. Whom he married, I do not yet ascertain, but he had six sons, and whether any daughters I do not know, but shall if possible ascertain that, also. He took up and held a great bundle of land on both sides of the river and running far westward and eight miles Eastward.

“The six sons were named Josiah, John, Thomas, Job, Jonathan, and Samuel. Josiah lived and died a bachelor and had the title of Doctor. John was my great great grandfather. He married and had two sons, John and Daniel, and four daughters (viz) Martha, Anne, Annete and Esther. Thomas married and had three sons (viz) Nathaniel, Thomas, and William, but whether any daughters I have not learned.

“Job married and had two sons (viz) Job and Benjamin and two daughters.

“Jonathan married and had three sons (viz) David, Giles, and Jonathan, but whether any daughters is yet to be learned.

“Samuel married and had four sons (viz) Samuel, Charles, Josiah and Elijah. The daughters were not named. (Elizabeth who married Isaac Rood if no more); but I suppose your mother was the daughter of Samuel who was the youngest son of the first Josiah. (My grandfather says the above is a mistake; my mother was daughter of Samuel, the grandson of the first Josiah.) (My records show that Caroline was daughter of Samuel, the great grandson of the first Josiah and grandson of a second Josiah. However, the record above shows that Josiah, Sr. had a son, Josiah, Jr., who died a bachelor and had no children.) His grandsons in the male line were John, Daniel, Nathaniel, Thomas, William, Job, Benjamin, David, Giles, Jonathan, and Samuel (who was my mother’s father), Charles, Josiah, and Elijah, in all fourteen. Those grandsons commencing with John, who was my grandfather (Timothy’s), married and had three sons and one daughter. The names of the sons were John, Solomon, (who was my father) and Frederick. The daughter’s name was Anne.

“Daniel married and had three sons and one daughter. The names of the sons were Daniel, Charles and Gurde, that of the daughter, Jerusha. Nathaniel married and had two sons and two daughters. The sons’ names were Moses and Joel, that of the daughters, Mary and Abigail. Thomas married and had three sons and four daughters. The sons’ names were Thomas, John and Gustavas. The daughters’ names are not yet obtained. William married and had two sons whose names were William and John, but he had no daughters as I have learned. Benjamin married and had one son, Job, and seven daughters, but I have not been able to obtain their names. Job died unmarried. David married and had two sons (viz) David and Oliver and one daughter named Jemima. Giles married and had two sons (viz) Giles and Reuben and no daughter as I have found. Jonathan married and had one son named Jonathan and no daughter as I have learned. Whether Samuel married or not, I have not ascertained. Charles married and had sons and daughters, but how many, I have not learned. Two of the sons’ names are Charles and Calvin. Josiah married when much advanced in life and had one child only, and that a son named Josiah.

“Elijah married and emigrated at an early period westward, and whether he left any children, I am not able to say. The great grandchildren, as well as the great great grandchildren of the first Josiah, both on the part of the male and female line, I expect are somewhat numerous and are dispersed among most of the states.

“Some of them are in your state. The daughters of the grandsons of the first Josiah were most of them considered the first and best looking females of the times and were connected as well as many of the sons with the most respectable females of their times

“If you should feel it of consequence to your gratification to ascertain any further particulars relating to the subject, either as respecting the families into which either the males or females married or their present situation or standing in society, I will give you all the information I can collect relating thereto. Respectfully, Timothy Ellsworth”

Pittsford, October 21^st. AD, 1838. I am this day Seventy years old (at noon). I enjoy good health and have since I wrote the above and for the last three years. I make no use of spectacles, even in a fine-printed Bible and tolerable well even by candle light. Thanks to whom thanks belongs.

Caleb Hendee

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Oct. 21. 1839. My health and eyesight as good as a year ago, has been good through the last year.

Caleb Hendee

Oct. 21, 1840. The last year has passed as the year 1839 as to myself, but C. R. Hendee on the 4^th. Feb. last had his house, out-house, and small barn burned with much of his furniture on insurance. Whole loss not less than $1200.

C. Hendee

March 26, 1841. I have enjoyed good health since Oct. 21^st, 1840, till within the last 6 or 8 days past, during which time and now am laboring under severe pains and spasms in my breast and right side, together with the afflicting complaint called the shingles.

C. Hendee

Oct. 21, 1841. I have enjoyed pretty good health since I got over the shingles. I have this day closed my 73^rd. year. I write and read without spectacles.

C. Hendee

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April 21^st. 1842. I have enjoyed pretty good health since Oct. 21^st. last, but my son C. R Hendee (Caleb Rich), was taken sick on the 12^th of March last and died on the 26^th of the same month; that is 14 days. He died 10 minutes before ten o’clock AM, quietly. The doctor called his disease Erysipelas. He had some fever, but the second day of his sickness, his left foot and leg became inflamed and continued to be and much swollen and finally mortified, and when the mortification reached his body, as it did on 13^th. or 14^th. day, it soon caused his death. He was much emaciated. He had not been well for about one year past, and was last August taken insane and went to Boston with his brother, G. F. (German Franklin), but returned worse than when he went from home, but in a few days, he became rational, but continued weak and with much pain in his legs and etc., till sometime last winter when he became considerably better as to the use of his limbs and etc., till he was taken down in his last sickness which he bore with as much patience as could be expected considering his complaint which was painful. He retained his reason most of the time till the last and died rational without a murmur.

Caleb Hendee.

Friday Oct. 21^st. 1842. This day completes my 74^th. year. It is on the same day of the week on which I was born. I now enter on the 75^th. year of my age. I have enjoyed good health the last year.

Caleb Hendee.

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Oct. 31^st. 1842. I this day weigh 185 pounds.

Caleb Hendee.

Feb. 23^rd. 1843. I weigh 190 pounds. This is more than I ever weighed before. My health is good, but I fail in strength and vitality.

Caleb Hendee.

Saturday, October, 21. AD, 1843. I am this day 75 years old, have not had a sick day the year past, but my strength and activity continue to abate. My eyesight is as good as is the year 1842, but think my deafness rather increases. I do not use glasses. My grandson, Frederick, about 4 or 5 weeks since (it was on the 16^th. of Sept.) slipped down and put out his hip bone on his lame side. I fear he will never recover the use of his hip and probably ever will be helpless. Sad misfortune to him. (This is a pleasant day.)

Caleb Hendee.

Monday, Oct. 21^st. 1844. I am this day 76 years old. For the most of the year past, I have enjoyed comfortable health, but for about three weeks past, I have been troubled with a severe cold seated on my lungs, with a hard cough, extreme difficulty of raising, attended with some fever, but I am now relieved. I am still weak and find I grow feebler every year, although I read and write without glasses, yet my eyesight has failed within the last 6 or 7 months past. There appears to be something growing over my left eye, which may be the cause, for I think that for years past that my left eye was the best.

My sister, Rachel Whitlock, died the 9^th. of February last, and my half brother, Abner Hendee (Cox xiii), the 23^rd. of May last and my granddaughter, Mary Ohio Hendee, daughter of C. R. Hendee aged 7 years, died the 9^th. of this month with the bilious fever. She was born at Zanesville, Ohio, June 3^rd. AD 1837.

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Thursday, Oct. 21^st. 1845. I am this day 77 years old. My health has been good this year past, but my eyesight has failed so I can but poorly read common print. Glasses do me but little good, but I can see to write and read my own and any writing that is plainly written. I have nothing very important to relate. My brother, Samuel, lost his wife last Spring and a few days since was married to a widow woman in Salisbury whose name was (unreadable by Ulysses).

My brother, David, and wife (Caroline Harrington Hendee, my 2g grandparent) have been here on a visit, the summer past. Also my brother Jonathan. I have just received a letter from my brother, David, mailed 11^th. of this month. There are now living six own brothers and one sister of us. My youngest brother, Samuel, was 54 the 23^rd. of April last.

Oct. 21^st. AD, 1846. I am 78 years old this day, so another year has rolled around. My health has been good the past year, except that I was some troubled in the month of August with the bowel complaint, brought on by hard work and great heat of the weather, attended by some fever. I had the Doctor twice. I lost some flesh. My eyesight gradually continues to fail. I cannot read common printed books with or without glasses, and my deafness increases, but I am writing this without spectacles and can see to read plain writing. I have this year planted, hoed, and harvested and brought into my chamber and cellar with my own hands from the field, 38 bushels of good corn and 75 bushels of potatoes all done with the hoe after the ground was plowed in the Spring. My daughter Ruth has been home on a visit the past summer. My brothers are all yet living for aught I know.

Caleb Hendee.

Thursday, Oct. 21, 1847. I am this day at noon 79 years old; I have not had a sick day the past year, nor taken a cent’s worth of medicine. My eyesight and hearing are poor, about the same as one year ago. I think not quite so good, but I am writing this without spectacles. My 5 brothers and sisters are still living and well for aught I know. I have the year past tilled and harvested the crops from the land I tilled in 1846. Crops not quite as good from November to the 20^th. of May last. I chopped the wood for the stove I burn’t in the house. I now, at 1 o’clock P.M., enter my eightieth year in good health, not knowing what the ensuing year may bring forth.

Caleb Hendee.

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October, 21, 1848. I am eighty years old this day. My health has been as good as the year previous, and I have performed about the same amount of labor. I have tilled the same ground and done some other work. My brothers and sisters are yet all living and well for aught I know. Have heard or seen all but brother David (my 2g grandfathe). I had a touch of bowel complaint night but am better now. My pen is poor, but I write without glasses. I weighed last April 187 pounds.

Caleb Hendee.

Sunday, October, 21st. 1849. I am 81 years old this day. My health is good at present, but has not been as good generally the past year as the year previous. I was taken with the bowel complaint Sept. 1^st. which lasted 8 or 9 days, but not attended with much pain. I weighed 180 pounds last April, but now but 175 pounds. I have cultivated my half acre, planted it twice over and hoed it four times over, but have raised but little, the crops being destroyed by cattle and otherwise. Potatoes have not rotted this year. All crops have suffered by drought, there being very little rain from the 10^th. of June to the 6^th. of August. There has been but one death among children and grandchildren or brothers or sisters. My granddaughter, Caroline, daughter of Mrs. Bliss, died of Consumption about 4 or 5 months ago. My brothers and sisters are still living and well, or were a short time since. Four of us are over 70 years of age. I have 2 sons and 2 daughters and 20 grandchildren and 4 or 5 great grandchildren living. I had lately a letter from brother David (my 2g grandfather) who informed me he has more than 40 grandchildren. I have scribbled this with an old pen I have used for months without mending and without spectacles. I do my own writing, but hearing and seeing is poor. I can see to read but little. I am growing feeble. I walk as far as Pittsford village about once a week. The Rail Road from Boston to Burlington, Vt. is nearly finished, all but about 20 miles from Rutland to Ludlow, and this is expected to be finished by the first of January next. The engine and cars arrived here 19^th. Inst. (instantly—arrived just recently) from Burlington, will go as far as Rutland tomorrow or next day.

Caleb Hendee.

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January, 24, 1850. My right arm and shoulder were taken very lame and useless and painful by sprain and nervous rheumatism. Feb. 25^th. I weighed only 160 pounds.

Caleb Hendee.

Feb. 26^th. Mr. Samuel Dutton died aged 81 years, Oct. 1^st. 1849. He was born the same day I was.

Caleb Hendee.

October, 21, 1850. I am 82 years old this day. My health good. I weigh only 162 pounds. My right shoulder remains yet some lame and at times painful. I believe the lameness was occasioned by my fall. Some of the ligaments of the shoulder joint were probably injured. I have done no work the summer past. Mr. Smith was taken insane about the 11^th. of May last, has been so most of the time ever since. He has done little or no work for me or himself. He has not been with me but little of the time. By times, he was very bad. He was carried to Brattlesborough the 30^th. of Sept. Since then I have not heard from him. I have been alone day and night the season past. I am very lonesome indeed.

Caleb Hendee.

October, 21, 1851. I am 83 years old this day.

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August 3^rd. 1854. His health is very poor and feeble and seems to have lost his reason in some degree. He is also conscious of the same and says he is. His general health has been very good since this year commenced, except a short time in March.

by Fred Hendee.

Saturday, October, 21, 1854. This day I am 86 years old. My health is very poor, neither able to read or write, or do much, and am very feeble and having been sick with several complaints for the last 3 or 4 weeks. Have a very sore mouth occasioned by taking too much calomel. I take no food except such as I can take in a liquid state. I received a letter from my daughter, Ruth Bliss, mentioned the death of her son Edwin, who died August 8^th. 1854.

Saturday, Pittsford, October, 21, 1854. I am now able to sit up part of the day and am a little more comfortable.

Caleb Hendee.

He died Dec. 4, 1854 age 86 (this entry handwritten below above).